Society's Collapse: The Bug Out

by Jeremy Lock

  Jeff followed them, slowly and cautiously keeping them in his night vision scope. They went up to the front of the store into a small separated area that had once been a nail salon but was now filled with cots, sleeping bags and candles lit the area. It had to be at least three families, all with children. One man continued to watch the front of the store and the two men told him what had happened and they went back to the sleeping area. Jeff slid his way back, away from the sleeping families and towards the pharmacy area. It wasn’t that far away from them but he hoped he could grab what he needed and get out of dodge quickly.

  “How’s it going in there?” Jeff heard in the earpiece to his radio.

  Just keyed the mic once and continued his silent movement.

  “Everything going according to plan?” Jason asked and again a one click response.

  “I'm going to pull the truck about 300’ down the road away from you, when you leave head right and I’ll be there, if you need to bug out I can be there in a hurry.” Jason stated and Jeff clicked once acknowledging the transmission.

  Jeff entered the pharmacy and tried using his night vision to view the bottles but it wasn’t working. He pulled a small penlight out of his medical bag and started viewing the bottles. They seemed to be arranged by type which was good. Jeff found the antibiotic section and looked at the bottles. He found a very large bottle of Levaquin and a bottle of Cipro right next to it. He placed them in his satchel and went to look for some pain medicine. He found that the strongest medications were locked in a cabinet and it would make way to much noise to break into. He found a bottle of Dilaudid on a shelf and pocketed that and then looked at the filled prescriptions. After several minutes of searching he found a prescription for 3 months of Percocet, 180 5mg pills, a month prescription of long acting oxycodone which yielded 60 pills and a 3 month supply of 2.5 mg Xanax. He figured he better get out before his luck wore out and headed back to the rear of the store where he had come in. He carefully slid the boxes out of the way and then decided to look and see what were in the boxes in the storeroom. He pulled out his light and started looking at the labels. There were several boxes of cooking items, clothing, and electronic items galore. Then he noticed a pallet of items that could be useful. He thought for a moment, estimating, and then grabbed several of the boxes and set them outside the door. He had 8 of the boxes set outside and tried to figure out how to carry them. He pulled out a pen and a piece of paper and wrote a quick note and then carefully closed the door.

  To the folks staying here;

  I’m sorry we broke into the store and scared you tonight. We needed antibiotics desperately and we didn’t know if you would help us or not. I overheard your conversation about leaving last night. You need to get out of here soon, before the mobs come and take, killing anyone who gets in their way. Find a vehicle that is carbureted and older (pre-1990). Check all fuses and ignition system, the EMP will fry electronics. I would suggest, if you don’t know someone who owns property in the middle of nowhere, to go someplace away from towns and cities, stay off major roads and watch out for ambushes. Stock upon tents, sleeping bags, food, hygiene products and good winter clothing. I wish I could help you more. Good luck on your journey and God Bless.

  Jeff.

  Jeff took half the boxes and hid them in the high weeds and then brought the other boxes out to the truck after calling Jason on the radio.

  “No problems?” Jason asked.

  “No, I got what we need plus a few more things.” Jeff replied.

  Jason grabbed the boxes and looked at them while loading them.

  “Early Christmas for everybody.” Jeff said and Jason chuckled.

  “I have one more load of boxes to grab and were set” Jeff said taking off to the store.

  Chapter 31

  They returned without incident and they headed back home while dawn was just scratching at the horizon. When they arrived home Jeff immediately brought the medicine in, looking for Teddy. To his disappointment he found Jessica keeping watch on Sean. Apparently the disappointment was visible on his face.

  ”Don’t worry, its teddy’s turn to take watch in 5 minutes, I’ll go make some breakfast, she’ll be here soon” Jessica said with a chuckle.

  Jeff just looked at her sheepishly. Jessica went to the kitchen and started the coffee and looked at what she could make for breakfast. She decided instant pancakes were their only easy option for a hot breakfast and took out the griddle. Jason came in carrying the boxes that he and Jeff had recovered. She went to him and embraced him, kissing him, her relief for his safety evident. But the relief soon turned to passion.

  “Is it time for bed yet?” Jason asked with a wink.

  “Not yet, after breakfast” she said with a sly smile.

  Jason finished bringing in the boxes and Jessica came to look at what they got.

  “Merry Christmas!” Jason said handing her a box.

  She opened the box and pulled out the boots. She smiled. She tried on the good quality Rocky hunting boots.

  “They are a little big” she replied.

  “You want the room to wear a double thickness of socks in the cold. They are waterproof and insulated” Jason stated.

  “Thanks!” she replied sincerely.

  “Thank Jeff, he grabbed the boots.” Jason replied.

  Jason hefted the largest box “This is what I brought.” Jason stated.

  “What’s in it?” Jessica asked.

  “I have no idea.” Jason replied in a chuckle telling her how he had grabbed it as a distraction.

  “You could have been shot!” she almost screamed.

  “Yeah, but I wasn’t, and the plan worked.” Jason replied defensively.

  “I don’t like it, I need you, we all need you” she replied.

  “It wasn’t as dangerous as you think, but I’ll be more careful.” Jason replied.

  “So what’s in your box?” she asked.

  Jason used his Emerson CQ pocket knife to open the box. The knife had been a gift from Jeff years ago and was one of the highest quality pocket knives available. The razor sharp blade easily sliced through the packing tape and he opened the box. Looking at the contents they both chuckled.

  “Well, the girls won’t smell bad for a while.” Jessica said laughing.

  The box was full of 80 sticks of Degree “for her” deodorant. Jason just laughed and they both went to cooking breakfast. Teddy came down stairs several minutes later and grabbed some coffee.

  “Jeff is waiting for you, he’s in with Sean.” Jessica said to her.

  Without reply she rushed off to Sean’s room. Jason and Jessica both chuckled while they finished the pancakes. Jessica and Jason ate quickly and were ready to get some sleep. Several minutes later, as they were finishing up, Jeff and Teddy came down.

  “How’s he doing?” asked Jason.

  “He still has a fever, but it’s manageable. He has some cellulitis around the wound but with the antibiotics He will be just fine. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s up eating by this afternoon.” Teddy replied.

  Jason and Jeff then started talking about things that still needed to be done. Jessica grabbed him by the hand and directed him upstairs.

  “We’re going to bed; we can figure that all out later.” She said matter-of-factly.

  Jason didn’t argue and they headed off to bed. After blowing off some tension for several minutes they both had the best sleep they had since the disaster had happened.

  Chapter 32

  Money Mike was as angry as he could remember. Generally he lived life analytically and emotionless but today he wanted revenge. He had lost good men and he and his other man, who had survived the shootout, had both been shot. Money had taken a round through his shoulder that had luckily missed the bone; his other man was not as lucky and was currently laid up with a bullet in his abdomen. He would die soon, they didn’t have anyone with any real medical experience and the staff from the local hospital had either fled or been killed. Money had ordered
his men to go house to house and find someone with medical experience and if anyone resisted kill them. After 2 days of searching only 2 nurses were found, both of whom had no way to help his man and Money had killed them both with his bare hands. He had not felt rage like this in years. He sent a scouting party out with a newly acquired vehicle to find out where the bastard that had shot him had gone while he stayed back at his home popping pain medication and drinking heavily. Jew boy had taken over day to day control of the operations in the town and had tried to get Mike to take an easier approach, but Mike would hear nothing of it and Jew boy knew better then to oppose him. Jew boy had finally gotten some good news on the second day of the search. A family had seen the truck turn onto a road 2 days before, so they had a fairly reliable lead. He hoped the man was telling the truth, the men had raped his 14 year old daughter and killed his wife before he gave the information over, the man was then shot in the face and the girl brought back for the amusement of the men. Somehow she had gotten access to a piece of bed sheet and hung herself after the first full night of abuse. With the loss of four of Money’s most trusted lieutenants Jew boy was nervous. These men leading the patrol were animals and Jew boy didn’t trust them. With Money in an injured state he was worried the men would make a power grab if Jew boy or Money tried to suppress their violence. Luckily Money could care less and Jew boy reasoned that was the safest route to go. He had the men search the road for activity but they hadn’t reported any. Then the first report of resistance had come. When Money heard of the resistance he was furious. Being close to the Pennsylvania and New York border brought him near another gang’s territory and they had fired on his men killing one. The gold and black colors the men wore made it easy for Money to identify them. The Latin Kings or The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation, as they called themselves, were a real threat to Mike’s power and he decided he would drive them back over the river and he would find the motherfucker who shot him in one hard drive. He brought all his men, weapons, vehicles and food together and prepared to move out. He was at war.

  Chapter 33

  The sounds of heavy gunfire awoke everyone at the house. Single gunshots here and there had become more regular but this was a battle. At least 30 rounds had been fired in a matter of seconds and the entire house was now awake, including Sean. Mark had been on watch and estimated the gunshots were a few miles away and pointed to the North. Jason knew there was a development up there that had a serious criminal element in it. Mark also reported seeing a vehicle driving up the road and he believed the same vehicle had driven back down the road several minutes after the gunfire. Sean discussed their tactical situation from bed, having seen the property and the house years ago, he didn’t know what kind of defenses Jason had added. Jason explained what they had and Sean was fairly impressed. He wished they had a couple OP’s or observation posts but with the limited manpower they had it would be near impossible to man them anyways. Sean said the most important thing they could do would be to armor up the balcony areas and the windows. It was 3pm and they decided they had no time to lose. Everyone was awake so it was decided Cassidy would stay with Sean, Allie and Teddy would watch the cameras and everyone else would begin armoring up the house. Jason and Jeff went out to the garage after a sweep of the perimeter with the camera system and the started moving material. They had a few sheets of ¼” steel plate which would be used to armor the balconies along with sheets of ¾” plywood. The thickness of the timber constructed house would stop almost any round except maybe a .308 armor piercing round and of course a .50 cal round. Next they began cutting plywood for the first and second floor windows. They had enough plywood to triple up all the windows and the balcony defenses which they set with 8” lag bolts into the wood. 4” shooting ports were added to all the windows just in case. It was after dark once everything was done and everyone was bone tired. Teddy cooked up dinner. They were out of fresh meat and they now had to hit their canned goods. She made a tuna pasta casserole that wasn’t bad and even Sean made it to the dinner table. He was in pain but it was manageable with some pain medicine and he wanted to be part of the defenses which meant he had to get himself moving. Teddy had warned him to watch his stitches and he acknowledged her and showed her a scar on the right side of his abdomen.

  “Not my first rodeo.” he chuckled explaining his shrapnel wound during combat a couple years before from an IED in Afghanistan.

  While they ate they discussed their plans. Under Sean’s direction ammo cans were brought upstairs to the command post and all the weapons were kept ready.

  “Teddy, Your work here is obviously done, but we would like to invite you to stay with us if you would like to.” Jessica offered.

  “That would be great but I would like to go back to my house to get some things and to bring my animals here if that’s possible?” she added.

  They agreed and decided they would go first thing in the morning. The other thing they had to do was get everyone setup with proper weapons. Sean agreed to add his weapons and ammo cache into the group stock so that they could outfit everyone. They decided that they would do a complete ammo and weapon inventory in the living room while mark took watch. Jessica brought out a notepad and they started writing a list.

  Ammunition:

  5.56mm- 7000 rounds

  7.62mm- 4000 rounds

  .30-06- 1000 rounds

  .338 lapua- 1000 rounds

  9mm- 5000 rounds

  .45 APC- 2000 rounds

  12 ga buckshot- 1000 rounds

  12 ga slug- 500 rounds

  12 ga birdshot- 500 rounds

  20 ga buckshot- 500 rounds

  20 ga slugs- 100 rounds

  20 ga birdshot 250 rounds

  Weapons:

  Jason-

  - AR15

  - M14

  - Remington 870

  - Glock 19

  - Glock 26

  - Glock 21

  Jeff-

  - AR15

  - Remington 700

  - Remington 870

  - Glock 19

  - Glock26

  - Kimber 1911

  Jessica-

  - AR15

  - Ruger Mini 14

  - Remington 870

  - Glock19

  - S&W 6906

  Allie-

  - HiPoint Carbine

  - Glock 26

  - Remington 870 20 ga

  Sean-

  - M4 Carbine

  - Fn SCAR

  - .338 Lapua SniperRifle

  - Glock 19

  Teddy-

  - .30-30 Lever action Rifle

  - Glock 26

  - AR 15

  Mark

  - AR15

  - Mossberg 500

  - S&W M&P 9mm

  Cassidy

  - H&R 20 ga pump shotgun

  - Marlin .22 rifle

  - .22 revolver

  - Berretta Storm Carbine

  - Wilson Combat 1911

  Unassigned

  - Cut down 12 ga double barrel

  - M14

  - M1 Garand

  - Gahlil

  - Keltec 9mm carbine

  - Remington 870

  - Benelli Over under 12 ga

  - Colt 1911

  - Remington 770 .30-06

  - Springfield 1911

  It was decided that Teddy would get the AR15 and the Glock 26 pistol to add to her load out and Cassidy would carry the Berretta Storm and the Wilson Combat 1911. The other weapons wound be placed in the armory except for the scoped Remington 700 which would be kept in the Command Center. One gun not put on the list was Jason’s Rossi interchangeable. It had 3 barrels that could be put on the stock a .410 shotgun, a .22lr rifle and a .243 rifle barrel. This was kept in his bug out bag. It was decided to place the collapsible Keltec in Sean’s Bug-out bag and the cut down 12 ga in Jeff’s. Additionally they all placed a handgun in their bags except Allie who could only handle the Glock 26. Jeff and Jason decided to take the first watch of the evening and
then teddy and Jessica would take watch so that Jason and Jessica’s bedroom could be shared. Cassidy would sleep in Allies room and Mark would sleep on the floor with Sean in Jeff’s room.

  Chapter 34

  The underground bunker was getting claustrophobic for the men who were used to the finest in life’s luxuries. But they knew the conditions above ground were not those they wanted to live in, which was exactly their plan. There was no way they could take over the American government in a feasible time table. There were too many “gun toting, bible thumping hillbillies” to be able to legislate the national takeover. The first obstacles were the number of privately owned guns in America. Every poll ever taken showed overwhelming support of the second amendment and no matter how much twisting and mainstreaming of the anti-gun movement would change public opinion. So the choice was to legislate a gun ban and risk revolt that the military may not be able to put down (if they even chose to) or to let the gun owners kill each other off. That’s where the beginnings of this plan had been formed. The military was unreliable and the American people were too attached to their stupid guns. Their plan was under way and soon they would have the control they needed. They sat in the meeting hall awaiting their first report on the situation. Moments later the large TV came on and a man in full tactical gear on the screen. The 4 letters printed across the front of the man’s tactical vest were known well to the American people, but not in the roll they would soon be used.